Student Characteristics as Compared to the Community Profile of Fall 1990. Volume XX, No. 2.

Meltesen, Cal; Lucas, John A.

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) in Palatine, Illinois, to develop a profile of fall 1990 students, compare student and community demographic data, and analyze the percentage of various community sub-groups served by the college. A random sample of 500 degree credit students (DCS's) and 300 non-degree credit students (NCS's) were surveyed, representing 3.4% and 3.3% of the total student populations of the two groups, respectively. Based on responses from 371 (74%) of the DCS's and 231 (77%) of the NCS's, combined with an analysis of 1990 census data, study findings included the following: (1) 40% of the DCS's had taken college courses before attending WRHC, and 10% had at least a bachelor's degree; (2) one-third of DCS's indicated an intention to transfer to a four-year institution, while two-thirds of the NCS's enrolled in courses for general interest; (3) the average student age was 26 years for DCS's and 42 years for NCS's; (4) 2.5% of the district population was enrolled in WRHC degree programs in fall 1990; (5) 63% of the DCS's and 80% of the NCS's indicated that they were employed full-time, earning average annual salaries of $33,724 and $48,963, respectively; (6) sources of funding for college reported by the DCS's were the student's own money (57%), employer contributions (16%), parental funds (13%), and spouses (8%), while funding sources among NCS's included the student's own money (77%), employer contributions (10%), spouses (10%), and parental funds (2%); and (7) primary enrollment influences continued to be friends and relatives, convenience, and the availability of specific programs and offerings. Detailed data tables and the survey instrument are included. (PAA)